PHOENIX – The Arizona Diamondbacks are set to kick off their 2025 season with a thrilling matchup against the Chicago Cubs at Chase Field tonight, March 27, 2025. This Opening Day game promises to be a spectacle for fans, with both teams eager to start the season on a high note after disappointing finishes last year.
The D-backs, who finished the 2024 season just shy of the playoffs due to a tiebreaker, are looking to avenge their near-miss while also building on their strong offensive performance from last season. The Cubs, meanwhile, are coming off a rough start in the Tokyo series, where they lost both games against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and are eager to bounce back.
Tonight's first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. MST (10:10 p.m. ET) and will be broadcast live on Dbacks.TV and the Marquee Sports Network. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the pre-game festivities, including the ceremonial first pitch by ASU head football coach Kenny Dillingham and a performance of the national anthem by former American Idol contestant McKenna Breinholt.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo has opted for Zac Gallen to take the mound as the Opening Day starter, marking his third consecutive year in this role. Gallen, who posted a 14-6 record with a 3.65 ERA last season, is looking to build on his success against the Cubs, having thrown 14 scoreless innings against them over the past two seasons. His ability to command the fastball will be crucial, as he has consistently performed well at home, with a 3.36 ERA in 83 innings pitched at Chase Field last year.
On the other side, the Cubs will send left-hander Justin Steele to the mound. Steele, who had a breakout season in 2023, struggled in his recent outing against the Dodgers, giving up five runs in just four innings. He will be looking to improve on that performance and find his rhythm against a potent Diamondbacks lineup.
The Diamondbacks lineup features star players such as Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll, who are expected to set the tone early in the game. Marte, who excelled against left-handed pitching last season with a .342 batting average, will lead off, followed by Carroll, who is poised for a breakout year after a strong showing in Spring Training.
The full Diamondbacks lineup for tonight's game is as follows:
- Ketel Marte, 2B
- Corbin Carroll, RF
- Lourdes Gurriel Jr., LF
- Josh Naylor, 1B
- Gabriel Moreno, C
- Eugenio Suarez, 3B
- Randal Grichuk, DH
- Jake McCarthy, CF
- Geraldo Perdomo, SS
In contrast, the Cubs will counter with their own lineup, which includes new acquisition Kyle Tucker, who adds depth and power to their batting order. The Cubs' batting order is expected to feature:
- Ian Happ, LF
- Kyle Tucker, RF
- Seiya Suzuki, DH
- Michael Busch, 1B
- Dansby Swanson, SS
- Nico Hoerner, 2B
- Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
- Matt Shaw, 3B
- Miguel Amaya, C
As both teams step onto the field, the stakes are high. The Diamondbacks are favored with a moneyline of -125, while the Cubs are listed at +106. With an over/under set at 8.5 runs, fans can expect an exciting battle filled with offensive prowess.
Last season, the Diamondbacks ranked first in runs scored per game and were particularly dominant against left-handed pitching, finishing with a league-leading .343 wOBA. This offensive firepower is something the Cubs will need to contend with if they hope to secure a victory tonight.
Both teams have made significant offseason moves to bolster their rosters, with the Diamondbacks signing ace Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million contract. However, Burnes will not pitch until Friday’s matchup, leaving Gallen to lead the charge on Opening Day.
Fans attending the game will also enjoy various new food options at Chase Field, including the Giant Loaded Barbecue Chicken Potato and the Grand Slamwich, a massive 20-inch sandwich that combines chicken Parmesan and Italian meatballs.
As the excitement builds for this Opening Day clash, the atmosphere at Chase Field is sure to be electric. With both teams aiming for a successful start to the season, baseball fans in Phoenix are in for a treat. Will the Diamondbacks begin their quest for the postseason with a victory, or will the Cubs find their footing after a rocky start? One thing is for sure: baseball is back, and the stakes have never been higher!
